The world is facing a looming water shortage crisis that will worsen with climate change and population growth, a new United Nations report says. The UN World Water Development Report says at least 10% of the world’s population lives in areas that experience high or critical water stress, with 44% experiencing water scarcity over at least one month a year. By 2050, the number of city-dwellers facing water shortages is projected to nearly double from 2016 to 2.4 billion as extreme droughts become more frequent with climate change. Development and agriculture are also exacerbating existing shortages – the latter claims 70% of the world’s water supply – with pollution also affecting water quality. The report’s authors have called for establishing “strong international mechanisms” to improve water management and avoid conflicts between nations. The report was released as the UN holds its first major water summit since 1977, which is set to wrap up in New York today.